"Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong," states the popular Murphy's Law and it cannot be applied any better to a particular team than Pakistan. But there is also an addition to the Law which connotes: "In nature, nothing is ever right. Therefore, if everything is going right ... something is wrong." In Pakistan's case, it's the reverse that applies. Imran Khan's 'Cornered Tigers' was a case in point in 1992 and 25 years later, Sarfraz Ahmed's team is a reincarnation script that would do The Wachowskis (of Cloud Atlas and Matrix fame) proud.

In 1992, they were down and nearly out, but make no mistake, hanging by a thread is all Pakistan require to reignite the fire in them. Five matches into their campaign, Pakistan had a solitary win along with three losses and a no result, and were a step away from the exit door. But an inspirational leader in Imran and a collaboration of experience and youth scripted a remarkable turnaround, one that saw a proud team in green lift the Crystal Trophy.

In Mary Poppins, the 1964 Musical Fantasy Film, there is a song with starts with 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious'. According to the film, the definition of the word is close on the heels of 'something to say when you have nothing to say'. Safraz's side, after their first game, had nothing much to say, and it was mostly the coach Mickey Arthur fielding most of the questions. But, as synonymous as Pakistan cricket is with the three Rs - Recovery, Revival and Renaissance - their voice got stronger and stronger as the tournament progressed; their voices that thundered on the cricket field.

In the news for all the wrong reasons in the lead up the Champions Trophy 2017, corruption in the Pakistan Super League meant that key players like Sharjeel Khan and Mohammad Irfan would no longer be able to render their service, further depleting the resources. Even before the tournament had started, Umar Akmal had to leave the squad as he was deemed unfit. Ranked No. 8, barely managing to qualify for the mega event for the elite, an expected loss to India in their opening game - the script was being followed to the T as far as Pakistan's campaign was concerned.

In their first game, Wahab Riaz's waning powers was further exposed by the belligerent Indian batting line-up, Ahmed Shehzad looked pretty much out of place, 'GOAT' Hasan Ali and Imad Wasim were left to fend for themselves while the butcher knifes, carving knifes and the cleavers were busy doing the job for the opposition camp. When things go downhill pretty quickly, writing Pakistan off is the easiest thing to do, which is what most did. But to do that comes with its own perils - as South Africa, England and finally India, found out.

While Virat Kohli's side, after a rare blip against Sri Lanka, found their feet not too long after, Pakistan were busy scribbling a narrative. One that would define Sarfraz's team in ways analogous to Imran's. There were some contrasts too, the primary one being the 1992 side persisting with the squad they had whereas the 2017 side saw new blood flowing through Pakistan's veins. But the persistence with the johnny-come-latelies provided the uplift that would go on to be the driving force behind Pakistan's many conquests.

While an injured Wahab returned home, it was a blessing in disguise for Pakistan as Junaid Khan took over the mantle with aplomb, showcasing unflappability even when pitted against some of the stronger sides. The beating he took in the first game served as muscle-enhancing dose of powder for Hasan Ali, whose exploits in the remainder of the tournament provided the vitality in the Pakistan's pace department that they had earlier lacked. With a reliable Mohammmad Amir also there to fall back on, and an impressive Rumman Raees providing the back-up, a rejuvenated pace unit set about for newer adventures.

Pace bowling, though, has always been Pakistan's stronger suit and it was their batting that was the cynosure of critics and experts alike. So, out went Ahmed Shehzad, in came Fakhar Zaman - a 27-year-old left-hander with a List-A average in excess of 50, but yet to feature in an international fifty-over game. A knock of 31 showed much promise against a formidable bowling line-up of South Africa and that acted as a platform for his Carpe diem moments that would follow in the subsequent matches. Zaman's flamboyance was complemented well by Azhar Ali's solidity, infusing a different, revived top-order than what started.

If the experience of Javed Miandad and Ramiz Raja was complemented well by Inzamam-ul-Haq and Aamer Sohail, the 2017 batch had a similar mix in Zaman, Ali, Mohammad Hafeez and Babar Azam, who provided the much-needed kinetic energy to the batting order. For a Wasim Akram and Aaqib Javed, Hasan, Amir and Junaid proved an able match - with Amir's delightful spell in the final bringing back memories of a devastating Akram macadamising his team's triumphant path over the ruins of the opposition - and Mushtaq Ahmed might have metamorphosed into Shadab Khan

But to galvanise all that needed a commander - they found an able one in Imran in 1992, and a possible compeer in Sarfraz. "When we arrived here, we played like we had nothing to lose. No one recognized Pakistan in world cricket, and here we are, the champions. Keep praying for us, Pakistan," said Sarfraz after dethroning the 2013 champions. The recognition evaded Imran's Tigers until 1992 and in 2017, their latest title acquisition might have paved a new way forward for Sarfraz's Pakistan.